Iraq’s Hakim Sees Mosul Operation as Milestone in War on Daesh

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) Ammar al-Hakim described the military operation to liberate the northern city of Mosul from the control of Daesh (also known as ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group as a turning point in the fight against the notorious group.

The operation to retake Mosul will be a determining battle against Daesh terrorists, the senior Iraqi cleric said at a meeting with Syria’s ambassador to Baghdad, Alsumaria news network reported.

Hakim also referred to the cowardly bombing attacks against civilians in Baghdad as a clear sign that Daesh terrorist group is on the verge of demise.

The Iraqi army is gearing up to launch a large-scale offensive to liberate the northern city of Mosul, which Daesh has proclaimed its headquarters in Iraq. Mosul fell to Daesh terrorists in summer 2014.

A 2015 offensive to retake the city came to a halt after Daesh militants overran the city of Ramadi, which is the capital of the western province of Anbar and about 110 kilometers west of Baghdad. Ramadi was liberated in December 2015.

On June 18 this year, Iraqi forces launched another attack to retake the southern parts of Mosul, one day after they retook Fallujah.